HK21MEngCivil Engineering and Architecture
(4 yrs)

Our four-year MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture course offers a crossover between civil engineering and architecture with a specific focus on structural engineering, effectively preparing you for working across a diverse range of projects within professional practice.

Programme Overview

The course includes modules from the MEng Civil Engineering with further architecture modules taught jointly by structural engineers and architects. In each year, you will be able to apply wide ranging design principles to engineering projects.

The first two years will provide you with core knowledge in mechanics, structures, materials, thermofluids and construction management. The third year introduces highway and traffic engineering and will further develop you knowledge of structures and geotechnics.

You will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests in your final year with your choice of specialist option modules.

Design is integral to all our engineering courses. You will develop key design skills that you will apply throughout the course through a range of individual and group projects that support the development of innovative engineering solutions to the project briefs set.

To Apply

All undergraduate applications for the MEng Civil Engineering and Architecture degree should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Click on the How to Apply tab of the navigation menu for detailed information on how to apply and further details about UCAS' website, phone and contact details. Specific application deadlines are available on the UCAS website.

Applications are only accepted to Year 1 of the BEng or MEng Civil programmes; we do not accept students on to Year 2, 3 or 4 of these degree programmes.

Accreditation

This degree is accredited as fully satisfying the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng). See www.jbm.org.uk for further information.

If you aspire to becoming a professional engineer, you will probably want to obtain a ‘Chartered Engineer' qualification. This is a professional qualification as opposed to an academic qualification such as the BEng or MEng Civil Engineering masters course. You obtain this qualification through full membership of an appropriate professional institution.

The accreditation bodies are the following: Institution of Civil Engineers, Institution of Structural Engineers, Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation, and the Institute of Highway Engineers.

Key facts

Number 1 for employability for Civil Engineering in the Guardian University Guide 2015

95% student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2014

90% in a professional job 6 months after graduating, NSS 2014

Eligible to apply for the SUCCESS scholarship scheme; providing a bursary, summer work placements and almost guaranteed employment after graduating

“The course turned out to be even more enjoyable and rewarding than I had expected. Whilst the combined tuition of the two different disciplines was at times hard to grasp, in group projects especially I really felt the architecture students had the edge, and were able to blend into the role of lead designer.”

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements

A Levels:

A*AA (A level Mathematics and an A level in another science subject from Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Geology, Further Mathematics. The third A level subject is flexible but it cannot be General Studies, Critical Thinking or Use of Mathematics.)

IB:

36 points overall, 18 at higher level including 6 in both Higher Mathematics and Higher science

GCSE requirements

English Language, at Grade C or above.

English Language requirements

If your first language is not English, we need to ensure that your listening, written and spoken English skills would enable you to enjoy the full benefit of your studies. For entry onto our programmes, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 or an equivalent qualification.

Equivalent Qualifications

We are always happy to receive other UK and international applications from candidates with alternative qualifications, which are assessed on individual merit. If you are unsure about our entry criteria, please contact our admissions staff who would be happy to provide advice in advance of your application.

Selection process:

Intake: 75 across all Civil Engineering programmes
Average applicants per place: 10

Once we receive your UCAS application, it will be considered, and if you are based in the UK you will probably be invited to attend a visit day. The visit day consists of a series of activities including introductory presentations from staff, lab demonstrations, tours, opportunities to meet with present students and an individual meeting with an academic member of staff where you will be asked you about your background and interests and given an opportunity to raise any questions you may have about our programmes. Applicants with non-standard qualifications may be asked to attend a formal interview. Our decision on your application will be conveyed to you through UCAS.

The selection process involves consideration of all aspects of your application. The key attributes we are looking for in applicants, as well as academic ability, are an interest in civil/environmental engineering, good communication skills, evidence of team working and self-management, awareness of broader social, economic and environmental issues and the potential to contribute to the University of Southampton as a learning environment and as a wider community.

All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy. In accordance with the University’s commitment to inclusivity, we welcome applications onto this programme of study from students with disabilities. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (e.g. hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly any practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.

Modules

Typical course content

Each year of our four year MEng Civil and Architecture course is divided into two semesters with subjects introduced through a series of individual modules. The weighting of each module varies according to its specific content, which are assessed through a combination of coursework and examination. This course focuses on teaching you the fundamentals of engineering, while design/ architectural modules within each year provide you with the opportunity apply your engineering knowledge and to develop the core design and personal skills central to becoming a successful engineer. The design/ architectural modules, a significant individual project in the third year, and the module options in the fourth year offer you the opportunity to tailor your degree according to your own interests. This course is based on our MEng Civil Engineering course with the water related modules omitted in favour of architectural design modules. This course places a greater emphasis upon the development of individual design abilities and the refinement of solutions specific to the relationship between structure, material and spaces within the built environment, and provides you with the opportunity to choose related optional modules in your third and fourth years.

Year 2

The second year builds on the core engineering science and design taught in Year 1. Mathematics and statistics continue to be taught alongside other Faculty disciplines while, structural analysis, structural design, materials, numerical methods, soil mechanics, construction management, and hydraulics are tailored to civil and environmental engineering needs and applications. A group design project provides the opportunity to further develop and apply the design skills introduced in Year 1. This course omits the teaching of hydraulics (and subsequent water related modules) and introduces an architectural design module that aims to introduce a greater understanding of the relationship between structure, material and space. There is an increased focus on the development of Individual design abilities.

All modules below are compulsory. There are no optional modules in Year 2.

Semester Two

Core:

Compulsory:

Year 3

The third year builds on the core engineering science and design taught in Years 1 and 2, all modules are specific to civil and environmental engineering. Highway and traffic engineering and urban design is introduced while, structure and geotechnics are taught to greater depths. A further significant architectural design module builds on design abilities gained in Years 1 and 2. An individual research project allows you to tailor your engineering focus according to your own specific interests.

The modules below are compulsory. There are no optional modules in Year 3.

Compulsory:

Semester Two

Core:

Compulsory:

Year 4

The fourth year gives you the opportunity to refine your design skills and to undertake design projects of greater complexity and ambition. A group design project, linked to research and industry sponsors provides the opportunity to develop a highly refined design solution in a real world context. An individual design project offers the opportunity to further pursue individual design interests. Project economics, management, professional skills and advanced structural engineering are taught to provide further transferrable skills for a successful future in industry. Optional modules provide you with the opportunity to tailor the focus of your final year.

Learning and assessment

Teaching and learning

The range and application of subject matter covered within the course calls for varied teaching and learning techniques and our students gain knowledge and understanding through a combination of lectures, laboratory classes, tutorials, coursework private study and individual and group projects. You will learn subject specific content, as well as transferable skills and abilities.

Students are encouraged to openly communicate experiences; exchange ideas and share knowledge in order to activity contribute to their learning environment. Formal learning can be broadened through the involvement in extra-curricular activities, societies and the student membership of professional institutions.

A practical approach

Practical application and direct experiences are integral to our course. You will attend site visits, put your theoretical knowledge to the test in labs and get involved in real-life project work. Analysis and problem solving skills will be developed through regular problem sheets and small group exercises in lectures.

Ground-breaking research

Your education will include current and emerging techniques to ensure that you have the most up to date skills and knowledge in your discipline; our lecturers are at the forefront of their research fields and are actively creating many of the new approaches they teach you about. This is especially important in engineering where and processes evolve. We are connected to, and draw upon, a global network of companies, shared facilities and expertise to further support your learning.

Assessment and examination

Assessment is conducted through a combination of unseen written examinations and assessed coursework in the form of problem solving exercises, laboratory reports, design projects, essays, and individual and group projects. Experimental, research and design skills are assessed through laboratory reports, coursework exercises, dissertations and oral presentations.

Student support

Students on our Civil Engineering courses are assigned a Personal Academic Tutor from the start of their degree.

Career Opportunities

Destination of Leavers from Higher Education Survey

6 months after graduation

Our graduates hold a variety of positions including trainee architect, 3D Design trainee, design architect and structural engineer. Some of the companies they work for include Balfour Beatty, British Army, David Dexter Associates and Vinci Construction.

We work closely with employers across the engineering sectors to provide our students with opportunities to gain vital industrial experience through the SUCCESS Scholarship Scheme.

Our close ties with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) also offers expert guidance on employment opportunities, and many of our students are sponsored with employment guaranteed following graduation.